Historic and cultural heritage
Human activity across Kent for 1000s of years has created an outstanding heritage and ‘time depth’ to the Kent Downs.
There are the remains of Neolithic megalithic monuments, Bronze Age barrows, Iron Age hill-forts, Roman villas and towns, medieval villages focused on their churches, post-medieval stately homes with their parks and gardens and historic defence structures from Norman times to the 20th century.
Fields of varying shapes and sizes and ancient wood-banks and hedges, set within networks of droveways and sunken lanes add to the historic look and feel of Kent’s rural landscape. Distinctive architecture can be seen in villages and oasthouses, churches, former farm buildings and country houses are a reminder of Kent’s lengthy history. The range of local materials used, which includes flint, chalk, Ragstone, timber and tile adds to the character and texture of the countryside.